Kunsel Kyetsal slideshows
–> Visit the Media Center for links to photo galleries of Kunsel Kyetsal – from groundbreaking through the first year of classes.
–> Visit the Media Center for links to photo galleries of Kunsel Kyetsal – from groundbreaking through the first year of classes.
NEW! Photos from Tibet
We've just posted these images. Have a look.
(Click pictures for larger view)
We've just posted these images. Have a look.
(Click pictures for larger view)
In the fall of 2007, the doors of Kunsel Kyetsal opened on the campus of the only Tibetan high school in Golok. This new three-story building holds the school’s first library, and learning tools vital for a 21st century high school education: science laboratories, computers, and language labs.
This project was conceived by local educators in 2003 to address a critical concern within the Tibetan community: the lack of a quality education for Tibetans, and the resulting limited employment opportunities available to their younger generations. Government policies are focused on settling the region’s traditionally nomadic population and bringing development to this grassland region. With their traditional nomadic way of life in decline, the survival of Golok’s communities rests on their ability to find alternative livelihoods for their youth.
This project was conceived by local educators in 2003 to address a critical concern within the Tibetan community: the lack of a quality education for Tibetans, and the resulting limited employment opportunities available to their younger generations. Government policies are focused on settling the region’s traditionally nomadic population and bringing development to this grassland region. With their traditional nomadic way of life in decline, the survival of Golok’s communities rests on their ability to find alternative livelihoods for their youth.
Until the Kunsel Kyetsal project was complete in 2008, Golok’s Tibetan high school lacked the resources to offer its students a comprehensive secondary education. Students who held the hope of finding skilled jobs or attending university had only a slim chance of fulfilling their dream. While Tibetan families could send their children to attend good Chinese high schools in far-off cities, very few had the financial means to do so. Moreover, young Tibetans who attend these schools are removed from their communities and culture, and deprived of the opportunity to become literate in their own language.
A note on the project name
The provisional name of this project was the Tibetan Institute for Science and Technology. At the building's inauguration in July 2007, it was given its official Tibetan name: bod yig mtho rim slob 'bring kun gsal skyed tshal khan, a beautiful title translating to Pleasure Garden of Full Knowledge Golok Tibetan High School. We now refer to the new facility as Kunsel Kyetsal, a shortened and Anglicized version of the Tibetan name.
The provisional name of this project was the Tibetan Institute for Science and Technology. At the building's inauguration in July 2007, it was given its official Tibetan name: bod yig mtho rim slob 'bring kun gsal skyed tshal khan, a beautiful title translating to Pleasure Garden of Full Knowledge Golok Tibetan High School. We now refer to the new facility as Kunsel Kyetsal, a shortened and Anglicized version of the Tibetan name.
(Click on the image below to enlarge)
In the spring of 2008 the Kunsel Kyetsal project was fully funded, providing the school with the resources it needs to offer students a complete curriculum with Tibetan as the primary language of instruction. The school now has science laboratories which give students an opportunity to put their biology, chemistry and physics studies into practice; two computer laboratories; and two language labs for studying English and Chinese.
A good education is essential to the ability of Golok’s youth to succeed. And as they fare, so fares Golok. Our greatest hope is that with Kunsel Kyetsal’s resources, more Tibetan students will have the necessary preparation to pass their university entrance exams, obtain skilled employment and devote their attention, energy and training to their communities. Their success will determine the ability of Golok and its culture to weather the profound changes now underway, and, we hope, to thrive again.
In 2005 when Kunsel Kyetsal was in the planning stage, TSF representatives visited Golok and heard from local teens. Following are excerpts from two of those interviews.
"My interest is in learning arts and science as I believe they are extremely important. Both my parents are dead and my aunt is a poor nomad lady who is all I have left of my family. During school breaks I must go to help my aunt and work hard to help her survive. We have no money. Everything is difficult. Now I hear that Sogan Rinpoche is building an academy where we can finally have an opportunity to study science, technology, language and other things. This is the fulfillment of our dreams. This will change everything. Now we have a future that we can look forward to with happiness."
"I have to say that I and my fellow students come at great sacrifice to study at the Tibetan High School. We come with the hopes and prayers of our families that we will get an education that will help us rise out of poverty. Until now, these hopes and prayers have been frustrated by the total lack of access to a good education. With the establishment of [Kunsel Kyetsal], our hopes can be fulfilled."